REVIEW: ‘Blue Box’ Season 2 Episode 1 – “Déjà Vu”

Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1, “Déjà Vu,” picks up right where season one left off. With Taiki (Shoya Chiba, Platinum End) and Chinatsu (Reina Ueda, My Happy Marriage) headed out to shop and visit a cafe, the duo looks to spend some quality time together. However, they may not have as much time to themselves as they would hope, as they run into several acquaintances, including an unexpected ghost from Chinatsu’s past. 

This season’s opening episode does a fantastic job of balancing the euphoria of young love as it blooms with the realities of dating. By balancing these two sides, the episode feels warm and sweet without becoming unbelievable. Plus, it weaves in Taiki and Chinatsu’s first date, capturing the special bonding that happens when the awkward and less-than-perfect plays out. They make memories that will be looked back on and laughed at, no matter how they felt in the moment.

Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 follows the pair first to a sporting goods store as they search for some sports apparel for Taiki. The pair already feels like a solidified couple here, as Chinatsu playfully suggests tacky outfits for Taiki. The back-and-forth between the two immediately reestablishes the closeness they share. 

Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 reestablishes the tone while moving the relationships forward.

The other main element that Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 does a wonderful job of reminding the audience of is Taiki’s sheer awe of Chinatsu. As they enter the clothing section of the store, Taiki is instantly hit with a barrage of mental images of his crush, wearing numerous different styles of outfits, from tennis wear to skiing. 

Like every other time he sees her, Chinatsu is shown bathed in a soft light, graceful and elegant in these imaginings. The artists at Electric Circus have done a great job of carrying over that angelic fantasy that Taiki holds of her. Even though she has plenty of goofy moments that may feel contrary to this vision, it’s okay, because the writing makes it clear that Taiki sees Chinatasu’s silliness as an equally deep part of her charm. This lets him hold his mental image of her while keeping it clear that he loves who she really is.

Even as the date starts exactly how they would want it to, Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 throws a monkey wrench into their plans when a fellow student, Kazuma Matsuoka (Yûki Kaji, My Hero Academia), happens to be at the cafe the pair stops at. The confident, outgoing young man is also interested in Chinatsu and soon makes himself comfortable as a third wheel on their date. 

Matsuoka crashes the date, challenging Taiki as they both fight for Chinatsu’s attention.

Just as the opening section of Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 leans into the optimum elements of dating, this portion of the episode sees more of the awkward spill-out. Matsuoka projects the classic smooth talker, being cheerful with Chinatsu while trying to push Taiki away when she’s not looking. Taiki’s struggles are largely adorable, as his frantic attempts to stay in the conversation craft an endearing element to him thanks to how clear it is to anyone else that he’s the only one who actually has her attention.

Further helping the comical side of Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 is the return of the series willingness to morph its characters into cute, simplified versions of themselves. Joy, frustration, and angst all look heartwarming when presented on the overly oblong heads and chibi-esque presentations the series breaks out with when it looks to add lightness to a moment. 

The final stretch of the date does a great job of subtly underlining Taiki’s growing importance to Chinatsu. Despite getting a chance to practice basketball at a nearby college, Chinatsu opts to stay with Taiki instead, even though Taiki understands if she chooses to leave. This leads the duo to visit a gorgeous high-rise observation space, from which they can marvel at how lovely their home is. 

New character, Yumeka, is introduced in Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1.

As Taiki Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 comes to a close, a figure who seems to know Chinatsu approaches the couple, though the nature of their relationship remains unclear. Cutaways to other students at Eimei High School lay down some backstory for the new character, while leaving out critical elements that shroud exactly how she stands with Chinatsu in a fair bit of mystery. But it seems likely there is some measure of ill-feeling between the two.

Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 picks up the narrative from last season and uses it to get the story moving smoothly, while also reestablishing the tone and visual style of the series wonderfully. Along with the mysterious new character, the episode does everything it can to welcome back its audience with what they loved about season one and add something new to tantalize their curiosity. 

Blue Box Season 2 Episode 1 is streaming now on Netflix.

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